Improvement in top-dumping scows



UNITED STATES PATENT GEEIGE.

THOMAS SYMONDS, OF CAMDEN, NET JERSEY.

IMPROVEMENT IN TOP-DUMPING SCOWS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 153,396, dated July 21,1874; application filed May 4, 1874.

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, THOMAS SYMoNDs, of Camden, in the county of Camden and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Top-Dumpin g Scows; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same, reference bein g had to the accompan ying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this speciieation.

This invention relates to light-draft scows, or what are called top-dumping scows, or topdumpers, instead of bottom-dumpers, and it consists of a platform arranged on a cleat or rounded central support, secured to the main deck of the scow, upon which it rocks, when it is desired to dump the articles thereon. It also consists, in combination with the platform, ot' a shaft provided with a ratchet, into which catches a detent or pawl, to hold it in any desired position, all of which will be more definitely described in the following specification, enabling' others skilled in the art to make and use the same.

In the annexed drawing, which forms part of this specification, Figure l represents an end elevation of my top-dumping scow, showing the platform dumped in dotted lines. Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-section of the same on line x x. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal elevation of one side of the same. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal elevation of the other side.

In the drawing, A represents the usual scow, which may be iliade of the air'- tight box-shape, as shown in Fig. 2, if desired. Upon the deck of this scow is arranged a longitudinal central' support or cleat, a, rounded on its upper edge, and upon it the rocking dumping-plattorm B, strengthened by suitable braces, is placed. This is provided on each end with a stop-block, b, which comes in contact with another stop, C, secured to the deck of the scow A, and thereby prevents the edges of said scow from becoming injured in dumping. At the rear side of the two ends ofthe scow A are arranged two brackets or bearings, D, over which the lowerpart of the platform B fits, and is held, when in a level position, by chains G. One end of these chains is secured to a shaft,

E, that is journaled in the bearings D, and the other end of the chains is secured to the lower side ofthe dumping-platform. The shaft is provided with a ratchetwheel, F, at one end, and held in place by a collar, f, on the other end. A lever, d, is attached to the side of the bearin gs D, and is provided with a pivoted detent or pawl, c, which catches into the teeth of the ratchet-wheel F, and prevents it from turning back when the platform is being loaded or transferred from place to place.

When it is desired to dump the load at the intended place, it is only necessary to disengage the detent or pawl, and the load will be dumped by its own weight.

The platt'orm is brought back to its normal position by winding up the chains on the shaft by a removable lever, c, on the square end of the shaft E.

These top-dumping scows are especially adapted to carry long` logs, timber, slabs of stone, or other similar articles, and can be used in very shoal or shallow water, and very close to the shore, whereby the logs, &c., can be very easily dumped onto the shore.

If it is desired to transport sand, dirt, small stones, &c., the sides of the platform may be extended in height, and can be provided with swinging or sliding doors, especially' in filling in lowlands, marshes, Src.

The dumping-platform and its attachments can be very easily removed when it is desired to use the scow for ordinary purposes.

' Having t-hus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-' 1 l. The combination of a top-dumping scow with a platform, B, shaft E, chains G, ratchet F, and pawl c, constructed and arranged substantially as shown and described.

2. The combination of a top-dumping scow, platform B, bearings D, and stop-blocks C d, constructed and arranged substantially as specified.

In testimony that I claim the forcgoin g as my own, I hereby affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

, THOMAS SYMONDS.

Witnesses:

GEORGE C. FoBEs,

A. S. TAYLOR. 

